Magazine calls Jupiter one happy town

JUPITER — Jupiter is one happy town, so says Coastal Living Magazine, which ranked it ninth in the nation for happy coastal living.

"It was not an easy spot to nab," said the magazine's editor-in-chief, Antonia van der Meer.

This, the first year the magazine has rated the quality of "America's Happiest Seaside Towns," saw many entries submitted by readers.

Using a board of editors who rated entries with a list of criteria that included the number of sunny days, walkability, education, financial stability and friendliness — and Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Jupiter rated in the top 10, along with second-place Naples.

"I love the fact you still have the sense of nature there with the loggerhead turtles coming up onto the beach," van der Meer said.

Town Councilwoman Wendy Harrison said she knows a couple who chose Jupiter over other Florida coastal towns because of its small-town, fresh feeling.

"I think what draws people here is the physical beauty: The ocean, a lot of other things of beauty such as the parks and improved properties, but I think what keeps them here are things like the people," Harrison said.

And although there are 55,000 people living in Jupiter, she said, " … it feels smaller than it is. I think folks are friendlier."

The 17-window slide show illustrating each coastal town chosen illustrates the beauty of the nation's seaside towns. The one for Jupiter mentions Jupiter Beach Resort as the place to be when visiting.

"We looked through that list and saw Jupiter and that they had named the hotel," said resort general manager Jeff Castner. "The community that we're in has a nice feeling, it has people getting involved and being involved in a close knit town."

Castner said it is common for residents to visit the resort just to relax and to enjoy for lunch.

"We are like a casual, or luxury casual where you can feel comfortable in flip flops," he said.

While Castner said he thinks the magazine's mentioning Jupiter will put it on the map for tourism, Harrison said Jupiter already is doing well.

"I think we are already in very good shape, but it's probably good news for the builders and folks trying to sell houses," she said. "I don't think it will be a surprise to people who are already here, but it also helps build local pride, and a lot of Florida communities don't have a separate identity like we do."